Washington

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From Memphis we passed through Nashville, where I did a whirlwind look around the town, and visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, yeeehhaaaa.

We then spent a couple of days in West Virginia, mainly because we were travelling to our next destination, Washington. We arrived in Washington on Wednesday 3rd May. The campsite we were staying in was the best I had seen on the trip, very modern with all facilities possible, a comfortable place to camp. We arrived fairly late, so we ate at a local bar that night, and got a good nights sleep ready for the next day.

I got up early and took the bus and train in to the City centre. First stop was the Museum of natural history, which has a huge elephant inside, and many dinosaur skeletons. Then right next door is the museum of American history. I found this place very interesting, lots of artifacts and relics that has made America, from posessions belonging to former presidents, like the top hat Abraham Lincoln wore the night he was assasinated, through to the first spacesuit ever worn in space, and the red shoes Dorothy wore in the Wizard of OZ, just many many things to see, you could easily spend a whole day here looking around, its very interesting. Then from the American Museum, you walk further down the road, and to the right, and there is the White House! The viewpoint of the White House is quite far, so the view isn't that spectacular, nonetheless, its great to see it and be there.

Then from the White House, on down to the World War 2 memorial, a beautiful array of fountains and fantastic monuments, a fitting tribute. then from the Memorial you walk alongside the huge water area, and then to the building that overlooks it all, the amazing Lincoln memorial. You walk up the steps, to see one of the most famous views from history, the site where Martin luther King delivered his 'I have a dream' speech to Washington in 1963. Up the steps to the top, and inside the giant pillars is te huge statue of Lincoln himself, sat in a chair looking over the water and over Washington. An incredible place. I spent a good 1.5 hours here, and then walked off behind the memorial across Arlington bridge, and to the famous Arlington cemetry. The cemetry is home to many war victims, and to the assinated president John F Kennedy, and his family. At Kennedy's grave is the eternal flame, and again its an incredible place to see, something out of history, as is much of Washington.

We then hopped on the metro and visited the Pentagon. High security here, and no photographs allowed, but you cant really see much as the building is so tall! Back on the Metro and across town, to stop for some lunch, and then walked to Capitol Hill, home of the administration, and where each president is inaugarated. A huge building, and again steeped in history. From there I walked back down to the American history museum until it closed. Then a metro to the theatre where Lincoln was asassinated, and then a metro to Chinatown. We ate in one of the best restaurants I have ever been to, it was fantastic, and drank a Sangria pitcher. It had now been a long day, so we made or way back to the camp site, absolutely knackered!!!

Washington was a fantastic place, lots and lots of history, you could spend a whole day in each museum. The museums are mostly free entry aswell, fantastic, and everything is in walking distance for each great site to see. Great place.

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Photos

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Who lives here?

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The scene of many historic events at the Lincoln memorial

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And Abe himself, looking out over Washington

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Arlington Cemetary, where the body of John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his family lie

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Capitol Hill, where all the Presidents are inaugarated